Reconnect: The Story of an old flame

Part 11: A little help for everyone

June 2002

"Okay- let's do it again. This time, Amy- try to lift the cymbals just a little higher on that last part. We want to look as linear as possible." 

It was Wednesday and we were facing a giant mirror in the choir room, watching our reflection to get a better feel for the visual effect. Vino had abandoned us a while earlier to go speak with Mr. Pine and so we were on our own. 

"One... two... flip." I counted off as we flipped the cymbals into position one in unison. 

"Not bad."

We turned to look towards the door, where Jake was standing, sticks in hand as he watched us. 

"Thanks." I muttered, lowering the cymbals. "What's up?"

"What time does Tanya get here again?" He asked, sounding rather annoyed. There was no helping it, that guy was going to hate us forever and in the case of Tanya, I couldn't blame him for being annoyed. Even I was annoyed and that made me feel guilty- I knew she had personal problems and I should be a better friend. 

"After 2." I said, looking at the clock and realizing that it was only 11am. 

"Right- so you'll have to fill her in. Come on." He said, signalling for us to follow. 

We looked over at each other, both Gaby and Amy waiting for me to confirm we should go. 

"Well? You're just going to stand there?" He asked, peeking back in when we didn't move. 

"Where are we going?" I asked. "Vino said he'd be back soon."

"They're in a meeting, it'll be a while. We're going outside." He said, turning to walk out again. 

I shrugged, glancing at both girls and then signalling for them to follow. 

"leave the cymbals." He called out to us, making us stop in our tracks and set them down.

Following Jake down the long hall was strange- it almost felt like we were being led to the guillotine. Punishment for not being true percussionists, punishment for failing to meet his seemingly impossible standards. Still, we eventually made it to the back door which led into a small parking area where the band trailer was parked. Jake held the door open, signalling for us to walk out. 

Outside it was warm- very warm. We weren't dressed to be outside, we weren't supposed to be dressed for marching until next week. Summers in our hometown have always been pretty brutal and so we almost immediately began to sweat. 

"So, what are we doing?" I said, noticing two of the other drummers. There was Mike, who smiled in a friendly fashion the moment we stepped out and John, an incoming freshman who smiled shyly. 

"We're going over some marching basics with the new freshman and thought you guys should join." He said, turning to look at two other freshman who were chatting on the side. "Come on."

They quickly scrambled and fell back into line. 

"I already know how to march." I said, a little bit defensively.

"I've never seen you march a show." He said without looking at me. 

"That doesn't mean I don't know how to march. Roll your feet, right?" I said as if it was an easy concept. I was being honest too- I knew how to march just fine. 

"If you're a woodwind sure- but we march different in the drumline." Mike said, making me look to him. 

I raised an eyebrow and turned to Amy, who was shrugging.